Backpacking In Cuba: My Quirky, Arty Stay At Malecon 663, The Trendiest Hotel In Havana

“Operation Peter Pan. America – The Devil’s playground” – Manic Street Preachers.

In December 2022, I decided to finally backpack in Cuba, flying into Havana from Madrid on what was to be my second Christmas in a row backpacking the Caribbean. After COVID and many personal moments of clear depression and exposition of liars, it always felt like a great escape from the horrors of Europe and indeed it was. I arranged to arrive in Cuba into the capital city, Havana on a flight from Iberojet, my first time to fly with them. On my first two nights, I would be sleeping right by the Caribbean Sea at the completely quirky, arty Malecon 663 – a perfect hotel for anyone wanting to visit Havana! This is the trendiest hotel in town – you really have to see it to believe it. You can start by checking out their website and Malecon 663 Facebook page.

“Went to Cuba to meet Castro. Never got past sleepy Moscow” – Manic Street Preachers.

Cuba was country 208 on my journey and just before my trip I gave my blog readers a teaser which seemed simple for them to guess where my NEXT new country would be, but nobody guessed it!! Some people even guessed Spain, Hungary and Brazil, all of which I had already been to. The clues I gave were simple

• I had never been here before.
• One of my favourite rock bands once played here.
• This country have been World Cup quarter finalists (football, men’s level)

The answer was of course…Cuba.

(answers – I haven’t, Manic Street Preachers in 2001, Cuba in 1938).

I noticed online a hotel that stood out as being different from the others. Shy yourself away from bland swanky 5 star joints in a communist empire, or dingy downtown cockroach loyal hostels and embrace yourself into the sublime and artistic world. You do that here, you do that by staying at the coolest, quirkiest, trendiest, most artistic and simply the BEST hotel in Havana, Cuba. Amazing!

I arranged with the hotel to be picked up in a classic car and here I was ready to feast my eyes on a truly wonderful artistic hotel! Yee ha baby!

There are different themed rooms here, all named after Cuban songs and delightfully I stayed in two different rooms during two nights here at the Malecon 663. My first night was in the Hoy Como Ayer Room…here’s the song to match my room…

My second night here, I had the joy of staying in the “Tula” room! Here are my favourite reasons why I simply loved my time at the Malecon 663 Hotel!

“You don’t just sit in a rocking chair once you’ve built a revolution” – Manic Street Preachers.

1.Quirky Interior

One of the first things that hits you on arrival is just how quirky and unusual the interior of Malecon 663 really is. I found myself staring at the walls and items placed everywhere. It reminded me of two of my favourite bars in the world – Jozef K in Gdansk and W Oparach Absurdu in Warszawa (both of those are in Poland, where I have completed 5 of my books!). As a writer, I couldn’t help but admire the bric a brac everywhere.

2.Art and Murals

Art lovers will love Cuba, will love Havana and will love Malecon 663! I also recommend a superb nightclub and art gallery – “The Place To Be” – La Fábrica de Arte Cubano an art gallery and club in Havana.

Remember that art has many forms, so don’t be afraid to admire the nudity on the walls, or in my case to get nude in the rooftop pool and admire the world…

“If you calculate 15 minutes a day to shave, that is 5,000 minutes a year spent shaving” – Fidel Castro.

3.Themed Rooms

As I wrote, I was in TWO different rooms and both were a real treat and totally different experiences.

Both rooms were so cosy and quirky – the Tula had a bath and a tasty shower. Both rooms had air conditioning, Wi-Fi and a television. I was living it up wasn’t I?

4.Welcome Drink – “Me voy pa mi casa”

On arrival after my classic car pick up, I received my “Welcome Drink”. It was served up by Willy and Sadiel. It looked amazing, but it tasted even better! This became my staple cocktail in the trendy bar here at Malecon 663!

What’s in it? It’s called a “Me voy pa mi casa” and includes ginger, honey, lemon and of course…Cuban Rum.

5.Super Staff

I was so lucky to meet so many of the staff here and they were all so welcoming and lovely – the hospitality is superb!! As I wrote, I was picked up by my driver Janko at the airport and then I met Sadiel and Willy on check-in. The next morning, I met the lovely ladies Denise and Thalia. I also met Sandra, the wonderful owner. Thanks to all the staff for such great hospitality!

6.Caribbean Sea Out The Front

When you waken up and stare out at the Caribbean Sea, it’s very inspiring and these were my views for a brace of days at the quirky Malecon 663.

7.Rooftop Bar

You want a cool beer overlooking the Caribbean Sea on one side and the humungous city of Havana on the other side? Just head to the Rooftop bar, balacony and pool.

8.Rooftop Pool

Get your togs on or have a sneaky nude dip in the pool on the top floor!

9.Wi-Fi

Cuba is notoriously excruciating for any blogger or online backpacker as Wi-Fi is almost non-existent in bars, restaurants, clubs, hotels etc. Luckily here at Malecon 663 they have fast working Wi-Fi and I have to say this is a real bonus for me staying here as I could actually update my Instagram, Facebook and blog from the hotel. I also stayed at Casa Amada and they didn’t have Wi-Fi and other places in the city had slow internet…

10.Stylish Breakfasts

I was here for two nights so I got two breakfasts. Both were stylish! Here are are few photos – think fresh fruit, yoghurts, coffee, biscuits, cheese, bread, ham, biscuits and even donuts! Really awesome way to start your day touring Havana in Cuba!

Of course those are just 10 reasons to stay here at Malecon 663 – I loved it and woul stay here again if I ever return to Havana! Here are a few more photos from my stay at the Malecon 663 and around Havana too…I do apologise for my photo quality on that trip – remember I am a blogger and not a photographer and my good phone and proper digital camera were both stolen by a callous criminal coward in October 2022.

So…copy me!

Here are the details for booking a room at the quirky Malecon 663 in Havana, Cuba:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/malecon663/
Website: https://malecon663.com/
Instagram: https://malecon663.com/
Concierge Malecón 663
Teléfono: +53 7 860 1459
Móvil: +53 5 273 5738
Correo: [email protected], [email protected]
Ave.Malecón #663 e/ Gervasio y Belascoain
Centro Habana, Habana, CUBA!

Here are some videos I made during my stay at Malecon 663 Havana, Cuba:

My Luxury Pad at “Hoy Como Ayer” Room in Malecon 663 – Havana – Cuba – December 2022:

Amazing View of The Caribbean Sea At Breakfast At Malecon 663 – Havana – Cuba – December 2022:

My Cosy Room “Tula” – Malecon 663 – Havana – Cuba – December 2022:

Art and Style at Malecon 663 – Havana – Cuba – December 2022:

Good Morning Breakfast at Malecon 663 – Havana – Cuba – December 2022: